Farmers can now till fields in cool comfort

New Delhi: The agriculture, the backbone of our economy, has given contrasting results. While on the one hand it has created rich farmers while on the other it has driven thousands of farmers to commit suicide. There could be umpteen reasons which could be attributed for the gap it created among community farmers.

Like in any other society, there are neo-rich famers who are looking for luxuries in life. The market forces are targeting this segment in providing the comforts desired by them. The latest innovation by a leading tractor manufacturer gives the option for the farmers to work on their fields from the comforts of an air-conditioned cabin in their tractors.

Launched a few months ago, the AC tractor manufacturer Mahindra and Mahindra targets the affluent farmers to push its stagnant sales, according to a report published in the Business India magazine. The company, which is introducing the tractors with air-conditioned cabins in selective markets across India, is the first one in India to introduce the luxury tractor.

Mahindras took the big lead forward to manufacture the air-conditioned tractors, the latest being the 50 HP Arjun Novo, reports the magazine. While air-conditioned tractors have been available abroad, this the first time an air-conditioned model has been introduced in India. Even foreign companies like John Deere, Massey Ferguson and New Holland, which sell tractors in India, have not introduced air-conditioned models in the Indian market, the magazine reports.

The reasoning for providing comforts to farmers while tilling fields is aptly explained by Pravin Dongre, chairman, Indian Pulses & Grain Association. “The new gentleman farmer wants ease and comfort while at work which, in the long run, also improves farm yield,” says Pravin.With one company set forth the trend, others are sure to follow suit to eat into the same pie. Then the affluent farmers stand to gain from this healthy competition.